Several of the longest-serving and active Rotarians were in attendance Wednesday to light the candles on the birthday cake They are from left, Alex Broussard, Charlie Weinbaum, Lum Edwards Jr., Tom Lamb, and Dale Dowell. Centennial President Becky Mason, right, handed each a special mug when they were finished. Wednesday February 27, 2013, the Beaumont Rotary Club held their centennial meeting even though the actual centennial is Thursday, Feb. 28. There will be a formal observance in April at the Event Centre.This was a regular business meeting, marking it's 100th year and they did so by lighting a birthday cake and singing Happy Birthday to themselves. Dave Ryan/The Enterprise
Photo: Dave Ryan

Several of the longest-serving and active Rotarians were in...

Several of the longest-serving and active Rotarians were in attendance Wednesday to light the candles on the birthday cake. They are from left, Louis Beard, Alex Broussard, Charlie Weinbaum, Lum Edwards Jr., Tom Lamb, and Dale Dowell. Wednesday February 27, 2013, the Beaumont Rotary Club held their centennial meeting even though the actual centennial is Thursday, Feb. 28. There will be a formal observance in April at the Event Centre.This was a regular business meeting, marking it's 100th year and they did so by lighting a birthday cake and singing Happy Birthday to themselves. Dave Ryan/The Enterprise
Photo: Dave Ryan

The passing of a longtime civic leader and business man saddened many residents, but those who knew William Alex Broussard say he will have a lasting impact on the region.

Broussard passed away Friday at 85. He was a third-generation director of the iconic Broussard's Mortuary, the region's first funeral parlor, and helped build it into the organization serving the region today.

Ask Marie Broussard if she has a favorite memory and story of her husband and she'll give you a simple answer: No.

"They were all good years," she said Friday by phone.

A life-long Southeast Texan and proud Texas A&M graduate, Broussard helped build the communities he grew up around for the simple reason that he cared about them deeply, said his son Tom Broussard.

"He did so many things that made (the community) just a little bit better," Tom said. "The older I've gotten, the wiser I've realized he was."